CHAPTER THREE;
ALTERING ONES FATE

The sun set upon the desert horizon as Priest Mahado and his troop made their way across the dry, cracked earth. It would take them all night and some of the next day to return to the capital city of Thebes. That is if their little detour did not cost them to miss their boat ride back down the Nile to the capital city. A nagging in the back of the priests mind kept him on edge. The disturbance he had felt the morning before was still present out in this barren land. Though faint, it was there. Like the remnants of a fire. Not to mention whatever it was felt entirely wicked. Even Mana could detect its lingering presence. She fidgeting in her saddle as they veered off the main road used for trading between countries to seek the evil out. The guards had their weapons at the ready as well when Mahado had given the order to stay alert.

The nearly full waxing moon was their only guide through the treacherous canyon they soon entered. They stopped only to cover their horses hooves with cloth to muffle the sound. When they remounted, they formed a single line and continued on. The breeze that funneled through the canyon walls played with their minds. The two trained in the ways of magic kept their sixth sense on high alert. They could now feel that the wickedness belonged to several entities. How many, they could not yet tell. There was something else though. Something otherworldly, but it did not hold the same malice as the others. Ignoring the lone enigma, they once again concentrated on the others.

Feeling movement ahead, Mahado raised his fist to give the silent command to halt. Whatever was out there had sensed their existence in the darkness. As the ones in questioned fanned out, the priest could now tell there were four all together, and they were very powerful. Without looking back at his entourage he gave them the signals to draw their weapons, but to stay where they were. Dismounting, he walked forward until he was several yards ahead of his group. The Millennium Ring that hung around his neck, resonated against his chest. It felt the evil too. The the five golden prongs that hung from it began to twitch. Suddenly all but the middle shot upwards in different directions. It was alerting him as to where the enemy was coming from.

"Spirit Ka within me, I summon thee now! Magus of Illusion!" Mahado cried. His body glowed golden as a purple armored figure appeared floating before him. Its face was shadowed except for it's round, glowing eyes. In its hand it carried a scepter.

"You are no mere earthling," a heinous voice echoed around him. "We sense a strange power surrounding you."

"I am Priest Mahado, guardian of the Great Pharaoh Atem. You are not welcomed on his lands foul beast! State your business here!" the man proclaimed.

Several of the beings laughed at this. A different voice called out, "you have no inkling as too what lies ahead. For the present time, we have no business with you young priest. Turn back now!"

"I will not. Reveal yourselves!" he commanded.

"As you wish."

The four creatures abruptly materialized upon the canyon walls. The way they clung to the rocks was reminiscent of the way spiders crept about. Their appearance was disturbing. Due to the lack of light Mahado could not tell if they were merrily cloaked, or constructed of shadow. Each had different colored eyes that were alight. To his left were red and yellow, his right had orange and indigo. Their laughter bounced around the towering rocks, spooking a few of the horses who reared in protest.

The yellow eyed one launched itself at the man. His Ka intercepted its attack, and blasted it back. The other creatures leapt in for their own attacks. With a command from its master, the Ka spirit cast a spell to bind the red and orange one. Mahado managed to sweep out of the indigo ones path. A shine of metal caught his eye. The assailant had metal claws tapered to its armored hands. It whirled around and tried to take a slice at him again, but one of the guards had ridden in and blocked it with his spear. His mount whinnied and reared toward the creature away with its deadly hooves.

"We will not let you attack Priest Mahado so dishonorably!" the guard cried.

Mahado focused on his Ka again just as the red and orange broke free from the spell. He silently cursed them. They were very powerful indeed to have broken free so soon. His life energy, or Ba, had drained some from just holding them there. Magus readied itself as the remaining three gathered together. From the sounds behind him, Mahado could tell the guard who had saved him and the others were taking on the last. Momentarily he wondered where his young apprentice was, and hoped the girl was safe. He was broken from his thoughts as the three shadow beings charged. Magus rushed forward to meet them. From its scepter it fired a series of shots at them. They scattered and hissed at the light from the energy.

Willing his Ka, it continued to try and hit them with its magic. Whatever they were, they were fast. Mahados eyes could barely keep track. They moved in a pattern to confuse him and seemed to vanish within the natural shadows of the canyon only to reappear at a different spot. They were about to close in again when another presence filled the night. Everyone froze. Even the guards could feel it and shuddered. The whites in the horses eyes showed and a few blew out air forcefully through their nostrils in fear. The air felt thicker, and a sense of utter hopelessness filled Mahados body and soul. It was as if death had taken form and was placed into their completely unprepared world.

All turned to where the creatures had come from. A girl's scream filled the air. "Mana!" Mahado cried and ran towards the scream. When had she snuck ahead of him?

The guards kicked their horses to follow suit as their attackers climbed along the rock to get to their hide out as well. Mahado soon neared the spot. His apprentice was standing before a large crystal that was shattering. Purple light shot out of it in beams and lit the canyon up. The creatures growled and took refuge in what shadows they could find. The priest rushed to the girl's side and grabbed her arm to pull her back.

"I'm alright," she quickly claimed, though his attention had now fallen on the occupant of the crystal. There was a body lying within it.

When the crystal finally burst, causing the two to shield themselves from not only the flying pieces but the light, the feeling from before intensified. It felt like they had unleashed the ruin of all life on Earth and beyond. The pair were blown to the ground by the force. Losing his concentration, Mahados Ka monster faded away as he shielded his pupil from the debris. Soon everything settled, and the light dimmed until fully gone.

The body that had been encased began to move. The priest gathered himself and moved to stand in front of Mana. Now he could see that the body was a human girl. Purple ribbons twirled around her form, before finally dissolving away, leaving her bare. Her eyes slowly opened and gazed blankly up at the heavens. After a moment she sat up, brining her hands in front of her. She stared at them, as if trying to comprehend what they were.

A brown and beige figure swept passed the priest, "Mana don't!"

The girl had removed her cloak and gently draped it around the unknown girls' shoulders. She didn't startle, but merrily looked up at the brunette with those lifeless violet eyes. Mana offered a comforting smile, but whipped her head around when the growls of the enemy sounded. They weren't visible, but were still collected somewhere around them. However, they all could feel their presence fading.

"You will rue summoning that one from her slumber, humans!" one hollered. The others let out piercing screeches that surprised the horses into either rearing or stomping wildly around. As their masters tried to get them under control the creatures' auras vanished, leaving the area feeling normal. Even the power from the girl had left once she had woken up.

Mahado once again fixed his eyes on her. She was now trying to stand with the aid of his pupil. Her legs wobbled under her weight and collapsed almost instantly. It would appear she had been encased in that crystal for some time. The priest grabbed at the Millennium Ring at his chest, silently asking it to read this girl. It gave no reaction. The girl was not evil, but then what had been that feeling from before? And why did their attackers flee when she was set free?

He approached the girl now, his guards flanking him. "Who are you?"

She looked up at him. Her violet orbs now held some shine to them as they gazed at him curiously. Her mouth opened to speak but only a croak was produced. Mana giggled, but quickly silenced herself when her master shot her a look. The young sorcerous detached a goat skin water flask and held it to the girls' lips to help her drink. She coughed up the first mouthful, but was able to swallow the second. Shaky hands wiped the water off her chin.

"Th-thank you." she whispered, her voice still a little hoarse. Clearing her throat she looked back at Mahado, "I... I don't remember."

"How long were you imprisoned for?"

"Imprisoned?" she questioned.

The man sighed. Perhaps she had mild amnesia from being asleep within the crystal? Or maybe those things had erased her memory? Whatever the case, he could not tell if the girl was lying or being truthful in her confusion. He needed Karim and the Millennium Scale to properly interrogate her. That, and if she was potentially dangerous, leaving her out in the desert for her captors to come back and claim her did not seem so wise.

"I think its best you come with us. The desert can be a treacherous place for one such as you."

Motioning for his horse, the guard who had hastily tied it's reigns to his saddle urged his mount forward. Mahado took the reigns and lead his cinnamon gelding over to the two girls. The horse, which had been spooked earlier by the girls' aura, now bent its head down to her and sniffed her short ebony hair. She smiled, and then reached up a still slightly trembling hand to pet his muzzle. He butted it playfully. The priest watched the exchange with interest. If his horse trusted the girl, then for now he would too. Animals had a good sense about these things.

Mana took the reigns as he went to pick the girl up bridal style. Making sure the cloak was wrapped well enough around her; he hoisted her up into the saddle sideways. He mounted up behind her, encircling the girl with his arms as he once again gathered the reigns in his hands. Mana went to her own horse and swiftly got on.

"Hotaru." the girl in front of him suddenly said. He looked down at her with a raised eyebrow, and she answered his unasked question, "I think that's my name. I remember someone calling it out... then darkness."

He nodded then turned his horse towards the way they had come. "Take us home Drum." the gelding shook its head and began to walk, followed closely by the others.

...

Soft padding of footsteps echoed in the blackness. A small light flickered to life as a figure rounded the stone corner. A white haired man, holding a torch aloft, entered a room full of riches and luxuries. Pictures and carvings of symbols and people littered the walls and pillars as lavished furniture, clothes, and artifacts filled the space on the floor. The man set the torch in a cradle at the entrance and looked around. His narrowed lavender eyes held a glint of triumph in them as a smirk stretched across his face. Running down his right eye was a double crossed scar, his infamous trademark. Dusting his hands, he then pulled a burlap sack off his shoulder and began collecting all the gold and jewels he could in it. Some he draped over himself, laughing as he did so.

When deciding he had enough, we walked into the next room. Here a giant sarcophagus rested with more treasure. Setting the bag down, he casually walked over to the decorative coffin and sat upon it. The light of the torch from the adjoining room now danced faintly in this one, casting large shadows behind the man. He looked down at the carved out face of the casket, his smirk widening and taking on a more sinister appearance.

"Oh how the mighty have fallen." he sneered. "I had wanted to dispatch you myself. Imagine my surprise when the once 'Great' Pharaoh Aknamkanon had fallen prey to an illness? Couldn't stomach your own sins no doubt. Now your brat of a son will have to suffer in your stead."

"Why stop their King of Thieves?" a voice whispered in the darkness. The man bolted up and drew the sword that had been strapped to his belt. His red cloak billowed out as a rush of air hit him. Narrowing his eyes to avoid getting sand in them he tried to see who had spoken. The voice was deep but feminine. Its direction was undistinguishable as it seemed to come from every corner of the room. "You could have so much more."

"Who are you? Show yourself?" he snapped.

The woman chuckled at his temper. He felt something slinking about in the flickering shadows, but whenever he thought he knew exactly where she was, she appeared somewhere else. "I have not come to fight. I came here with a proposal... It involves the pharaohs' head on a silver plate."

This intrigued the man. He relaxed his stance, though kept his weapon out as a precaution. "I'm listening woman."

"My master is looking for aids in her conquest. If you help us, we will grant you immense powers beyond your imagination."

"What is the conquest?"

"To take over all the Earth kingdoms and destroy the moon."

The moon? He had heard tales of beings living on the moon. Ethereal looking humans with strange magic and long lives were said to live there. But he always chalked them up to mere fables for children. Perhaps there was some truth to the myths if this master wanted it destroyed. However something bothered him.

"And what will become of Egypt?" he asked, leaning against the sarcophagus.

"It will be yours to command. All of the humans shall be your slaves and you need only serve my master when she is in need of your armies."

He growled, "Wench, I will serve no one!"

"You will if you want to be the one to kill the pharaoh and if you want the powers of true darkness!" her voice shook the room, causing small bits of sandstone to drop from the ceiling. The light of the torch nearly went out.

"Who says I need your pathetic powers? I have my own methods, and they do not involve enslaving the people or becoming the whipped pup of a bitch that can't kill the man herself!" the woman howled and the fire went out. When the blackness settled around him, he could practically feel it moving as though alive.

Howls continued to echo as if the souls of the dead cried out from every corner of the tomb he resided in. Feeling the air shift behind him, he managed to dodge as something attempted to come down on his head. The woman continued to attack, but her movements were predictable and loud enough for him to catch on. He grinned as she tried to gut him with what he now figured out was a spear. She was not skilled with the weapon. Often she either underestimated or overestimated its reach. At the next moment when she miscalculated how close her opponent had moved in, he was able to grab the wooden pole of the weapon as she bright it downward again. Gripping it better, he forced the butt of the spear back and into her stomach causing her to release it.

Tossing the weapon aside he made to stab her with his own sword. Suddenly the air became thick with a sense of damnation. It was as if Death itself had awoken and was walking the Earth. Even his attacker had become frozen with fear when the feeling struck, but not for long. A spark went off, temporally blinding him. Backing away, he heard a strange hissing sound. All of his senses told him to get out now. Immediately he called forth the terrible Ka monster within in him just as an explosion went off. A large silver beast with wings and a serpent for its bottom half quickly encircled the man in its arms and flew through the ceiling. The walls of the tomb then crumbled, burying all of the late pharaohs' treasures as well as his body in the rubble and sand.

The thief appeared in the desert just in time to see his shadowy opponent fly off into the night sky, cursing. Whatever she had been, clearly now, it was not human. Looking to his right he noticed a whirlpool of sand forming right over the tomb he had been in. He let out a growl before retreating to his horse. Though he still had the golden necklaces and headpieces on him he had left his large sack and the pharaohs body in that place. He had been meaning to take the corpse and treasure to the palace as a means of cruelly introducing himself to Pharaoh Atem. However his plans would now have to change. That foul creature and its supposed master were going to be a nuisance, he could tell. And what had been that strange deadly power he had felt? Even his opponent had been fearful of it. Too many unknown factors had come into play and he was not foolish enough to ignore them.

Making his way over to his roan mare that was waiting for him; he saddled up and clicked his tongue. The horse flicked one ear back then turned them around and began to trot away from the area. The sun was about to rise. The first traces of light were showing over the horizon, causing the midnight blue sky to brighten a little and mix with shades of purple and pink. For now he would go home and wait to see how these new players in the game acted. He would still have his revenge on the pharaoh, and if need be, would take down these creatures as well. After all, the Great Thief King Bakura was not one to be taken lightly.

...

A young man drummed his fingers on the arm rest of a large throne. His crimson eyes that were lined with kohl, stared impatiently at the main entrance to the grand room. He was adorned in golden decor from head to toe. The most prominent among them was an upside down pyramid with a strange looking eye slightly protruding from it that hung from a chain around his neck. His hair was most unusual. His bangs, which jutted out around his face, were long and golden. A few strands were sticking up along with the rest of his hair that was mostly black with red tips. A purple cape rested around his shoulders. The linen he wore was un-dyed save for a large blue strip that hung down his front from his belt.

Several others stood around him, all looking just as concerned as he. They weren't as lavished in riches as he, but one could not miss the few golden ornaments they bore. Not to mention their own special artifacts much like the pyramid. Slaves brought fruit and drinks for them as they continued to wait for something. All looked to the young man when he finally rose from his seat and walked down the few steps that led up to it.

"Pharaoh Atem?" a short man, whose face was covered by a small sheet, inquired.

"I don't like that Mahado is taking so long in returning. It is already midday." the pharaoh stated.

A tall bearded man with a golden eye in his left eye socket stepped forward. "It is entirely possible that King Prometheus kept him longer than anticipated."

A younger man than him, dressed in mostly blue and carrying a golden rod scoffed, "Mahado may be weak willed, but he would not keep the Pharaoh waiting like this for that old king. I think he went to seek out that strange heka we all felt yesterday morning, or the other one in the night."

Pharaoh Atem nodded. His whole palace had felt the aura in the late hours of the night. It had awoken him, filling his being with a sense of doom. Silently he prayed his most loyal priest and friend had not foolishly gone to encounter whatever housed that power. He himself was waiting for the priest to return so they could all go seek it out. With the combined efforts of their Ka monsters and their Millennium Items they were unstoppable.

However he did not peg Mahado for a fool. He was not only a great priest with much Ba, but also an extremely powerful sorcerer. The only ones who could rival or trump him in power was Atem himself and perhaps the man with the golden eye, High Priest Akhenaden. Having not sensed a disturbance from his Millennium Puzzle, he could only presume Mahado was still alive, which comforted him some. Walking over to one of the large windows, he rested his hands on the sill and peered out at his city. It was vast and grew every year. The monuments erected by the old kings stood proudly around the palace grounds. Hieroglyphics were etched in the stones as well as large painted murals, telling tales of the lives of the pharaohs or gods. A large courtyard was below him. There several platoons of guards marched in formation. The sun was beating down on their already exposed bronze skin. Palm trees offered little shade for the servants and nobles that meandered about. Not a one had a care or even knew of the danger that was lurking somewhere around the sun.

Not but six days ago, the priestess, Isis, came to the throne room with disturbing news. Due to the abilities of her Millennium Necklace, she was able to foresee the future, as well as its possible outcomes. During her morning prayer a vision had come. A great darkness from the sun was coming. Though blacker than the night, it burned with such an intensity none could venture near it without bursting into flame. Seven parts broke from it and shot across space. Three flew to the Earth, while the remaining four went to the moon. The mother darkness seeped back into the sun and cultivated there. Biding its time for the right moment to strike. Her gift also showed her Egypt, where the regrouped remnants of the darkness swept across the desert, killing all within their path. At last they reached Thebes, and smothered the pharaoh in his own shadows.

The other priests used their Items upon hearing this. Both Mahados and Karims Items were able to detect faint traces of an evil forming in the sun. However, tracking the seven who had broken away from it proved difficult. When that strange, dark energy appeared in his lands the morning before this days and then last night as well, he had no doubts it had something to do with them.

"Pharaoh Atem!" a voice called, causing him turn away from the window to meet with one of his guard. The man did not wear the headdress that the soldiers wore to signify their profession. He was one of the captains of the guard. His flaxen hair rested in chunks that went down his neck, the bangs were parted and swept out of his bronze face. Lavender eyes were lined with kohl designs and he wore a purple cape, shorter than that of the pharaohs with a black kilt, leather guards on his arms and shins, and sandals. Two scimitars hung from his belt on each side of him. When Atem met his gaze, the man kneeled.

"What news do you bring Malik?" the pharaoh asked and he rose.

"Sire, Priest Mahado has returned. He and his cortege discovered some creatures not of this world, which attacked them in the canyons of the north. He brought back a woman he believes they were holding prisoner." Malik reported.

Atem frowned, and waved the general aside. The man took a step out of his kings' way, as the golden clad one made h a beeline to the doors. The other priests and his lead advisor followed suit. So his friend had indeed gone to find those mysterious auras. That was unlike him. Perhaps he had felt this girl among them and went to save her. Mahado had the kindest heart out of his priests, and possibly the kindest heart out of anyone he knew. Still, that had been a great risk to take for some unknown woman.

As he turned into another hallway, he found the priest in question and his apprentice heading towards them. Mana kneeled as Mahado bowed when they met in the middle. The man quickly apologized for his tardiness. Atem could feel Seto about to scold his fellow priest, but held his hand up to call for silence from both parties. Everyone stilled, waiting for the pharaoh to make the first move. He looked the pair over. Both were covered in dirt and sand. Their clothes were slightly damp from their sweat as they had to travel during the scorching daylight for some hours. They were both tired, but did their best not to show it. He let out a sigh. What was he going to do with these two?

"Mana, you are dismissed. Priest Mahado, report your findings then you too may leave." the two bowed. The girl turned and rushed off as her master began to recall the events of their night.

Atem listened intently. Mahado was very detailed in his description of his findings. The creatures worried the pharaoh. They had to be a part of that great darkness that was birthed from the sun. He did not want to presume their true strength on such little evidence however. It appeared they could shift in and out of shadow, perhaps carried more manmade weapons like the claws, and were fearful of the light. That last part was odd, considering they were forged from the sun, but perhaps it was the manner of light that affected them. When Mahado got to the part about the girl the pharaoh was most intrigued. She had been that horrible feeling that had awoken him.

When asked where she was, Mahado explained that the guards took her to the slaves' quarters to be bathed and clothed as she had been naked when released from the crystal. Atem ordered Malik, who had also followed them, to bring the girl to him when she was done being tended to. As the captain left, the travel weary priest was also dismissed. He thanked the pharaoh, and then turned to head to his chambers. Atem and the others returned to the throne room where he sat to contemplate everything in the time he had.

…

Serenity sat in her bed, nursing a bruised arm. She didn't dare take it or any of the other injuries she had gained from her fighting lessons to the palace healers. They would surely tell her mother and then both Yuuichirou and Motoki would be in deep trouble. Luckily she was a fast healer herself, so by the time her people awoke for their day she would be fit as a fiddle. It had only been her second night of training, but she was doing well. At least she thought so. She was still nowhere near her senshis' level, but she at least knew a few techniques to get an opponent off of her. Her two guards were very patient and taught her ways to strengthen her body throughout the day. Whenever she was waiting for something or in her quarters alone, she would hold fighting stances for a count of ten. They were awkward to her so she always managed to do them wrong. Yuuichirou suggested she held them for the count whenever she could so it would eventually feel more natural.

Unfortunately she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this up. Last night, during her lessons with Lady Haruna she had felt the awakening. She knew she hadn't been the only one too. Immediately her mother arrived and pulled her from the library. The senshi appeared not long after. Sailor Saturn was on Earth. Though Serenity could feel her almost exact location, the others could not. It had happened too fast for them, and they were not as used to her signature as the princess was. However, she kept her dearest friend's whereabouts to herself. She still very much intended to go and retrieve the girl alone after all. Princess Rei had been gone to the temple of Mars within the palace grounds to fire read. So far she had only seen the shadows that had taken the fellow senshi. She had counted seven in all, each with different colored eyes. Princess Ami was locked away in the archives, trying to run energy scans on the blue and green planet. The last two princesses were constantly by the queens' side, passing any information they could in secret. None wanted to reveal their findings to the council who were demanding a manhunt for the deadly warrior and were spreading rumors that she was in league with the ones who had taken her. They had thankfully not felt her awakening.

Knowing she wasn't going to get much sleep again, Serenity changed back into her fighting clothes, a plain cotton shirt with matching pants, and began a series of exercises. She had just finished training with Yuuichirou and Motoki a few hours ago, but still had energy to burn. A smile crossed her face as she stretched her arms. Normally she would never forsake sleep. True, she sometimes got up early to sneak away to visit Saturn, but it wasn't all that often. It was the palace joke that the only one the princess courted was her bed, and that her "evil" maids were trying to break up their love for each other. Now here she was for the second Earth day in a row, sacrificing her "love affair" for her stolen friend. It made her giggle. She didn't worry about falling asleep in court or during lessons. She did that already anyway, and if she happened to really pass out she could just use the excuse she wasn't getting much sleep out of worry. It wouldn't be a lie after all.

She did however; hate lying to her mother and guardians that she would not try anything foolish to get Saturn back. Several times throughout their day she had almost let slip her friends location. When she finally had a chance to slip away she went back to the library and over to the scrolls that were maps of the Earth. Using the coordinates she had felt, she was able to map out where Saturn was. She had been taken to the desert, not far from the borders of the North Kingdom. If she did manage to rescue her, they could easily seek refuge with King Prometheus until being able to go home. What worried her was why Saturn was already awake. Surely she could've easily escaped her captors by now and she had the gift of teleportation same as the other senshi. Had they truly corrupted her like Princess Minako feared?

"I hope she will remember me...and not hate me." Serenity whispered to herself as she once again held a stance. Everything was happening a lot faster than she had anticipated.

"Another sleepless night my princess?" a soothing voice asked. It still startled the girl, causing her to lose her balance and fall on her face. A chuckle sounded as she tried her hardest not to shout in pain and instead whimpered pathetically. Turning she was surprised to find the princess of Pluto standing by her covered window. The woman was a beauty. Her dark green hair was almost black in color and was half kept in a bun at the top of her head. Her crimson eyes twinkled at the clumsiness of the golden haired girl. She was in her senshi garb which was mostly black and a deep red. Her staff resembled a giant key and had a large garnet stone resting at the top. Serenity stood, clutching the dump forming on her forehead.

"Princess Setsuna? What are you doing here?" she asked.

Pluto smiled softly, "I know what it is you plan to do my princess. I have foreseen it."

It was very rarely that Serenity became serious and acted like the future ruler of a kingdom. Now she did so and clenched her fists as she narrowed her eyes, "then you know there is no stopping me."

"I have not come to stop you." this caused the girl to falter. Pluto went and sat on the edge of her bed, patting a space next to her. Serenity walked over and accepted the offer to sit. "My princess...I myself, am lost. So much has deviated from the timeline I originally saw when first granted the powers of time. Some changes I am thankful for, others...I am still unsure of. I can no longer presume to know the final outcome of this future ordeal for it may shift again. You and your senshi are the cause."

"Is that bad?" the girl asked, worried that perhaps she had really messed up something important without realizing it.

"No...and yes. It cannot be helped. You and the others were granted the power to reshape your own destinies by some unknown force. But I did not come here to solely tell you this." she paused, and seemed to be contemplating on whether it was a good idea to continue. Her smile turned melancholy and she now stared at the floor. Her hand that did not grasp her time key held the arm that did in uncertainty.

"Pluto?"

The older woman sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm going on a hope that if you and the senshi can change your destinies, that perhaps I can change mine too... It is selfish of me, but I also want to help." she met the princess's crystal blue gaze now. "You are a senshi as well my princess."

Serenity froze. She? A Sailor Senshi? But there had never been a senshi of the moon. They did not possess the legendary starseeds granted to the famous warriors that housed the powers of the universe. They only had the Ginzuishou, which was powerful enough in its own right if used properly. But still! How could this be so?

Her shock was expected by the time warrior. "Princess Serenity you are the guardian of love and justice. You are Sailor Moon. You were not supposed to awaken as a senshi in this life however, but in the next."

"The next?" the girl asked, snapping out of her revere.

Pluto looked sad again, "you and Saturn were never supposed to meet in this life. Her own people were supposed to put her to sleep. The dark kingdom that is forming was to destroy the Moon Kingdom and all of you were to die then. Your mother would've used the power of the Ginzuishou and at the cost of her life, sealed the enemy away. Saturn would've been summoned then, and fulfill her destiny of bringing about an end to the Silver Millennium, sending you all to be reborn again on Earth in the future. There your true form would come to light and you and the others would finish the dark kingdom that also managed to be reborn as well."

It was a lot of information to take on, and she wasn't sure what to make of it. They were to die? She and others? And her mother. She would never see her mother again. It brought tears to her eyes as she stared off. What a cruel fate. To have the peace they all worked so hard for to come crumbling down so easily. She tried to remember the event of meeting Saturn. She had been the one to beg her mother to go and retrieve the girl from her home planet when news reached them of her banishment. It had merely been a whim, a childish plea to save a girl she knew nothing about. But at the time, she had felt pity. She pitied the dark princess who was unloved and unwanted by her own parents when the prophecy about her future duty was made at the violet eyed girls thirteenth birthday. The day she was made a senshi. Only upon meeting her did she realize the girl did not need her pity, but her love.

"This future is no longer in existence." Pluto spoke, drawing the princess's attention back. "And the future I see now is constantly altering itself. The Silver Millennium may yet survive, but it all depends on you."

"Me?"

The woman smiled, "you and your senshi. As well as your friendship with Sailor Saturn. That one friendship changed the course of time my princess. Perhaps it could save us all?"

Serenity heard the hope in her voice and couldn't help but smile back, "I would like that. But how do I become a senshi now?"

"With this," at that Pluto handed her a broach. It was pretty. It was a golden circle with four smaller circles, each the color of the Inner Senshi, stationed around it. In the middle of the golden one a moon on it's side was carved into the bottom and a star in a gem rested above it. When she picked it up, she felt a beautiful power radiating off of it. "Do not use it here for the others will sense the power it holds. When you get to Earth simply shout out: Moon Prism Power Make-up. It will help you to transform. For now, wear it while you train alone and it will guide you. Don't let anyone else see it."

Serenity clutched it in her hand. With this, she will save their future. She will get Saturn back and set everything right. Looking up at the older warrior she nodded, "thank you Sailor Pluto."

"Don't thank me. I'm not sure if I just doomed us all, but I have faith in you. And hope for our future."

"I do too. I know we will conquer the dark kingdom." Pluto watched the princess. Her determination amazed her. She was still the clumsy, air headed girl she had always been, and would've been if the outcome of the future had remained the same, but now something was different. She was becoming their true leader a lot faster than originally laid out. Though the crimson eyed woman could still see traces of fear there, the girls resolve to protect all of her loved ones shone through brightly. She truly was the most pure and beautiful star out of all the senshi across the universe.

Rising from their seats, Pluto bowed to her princess and future queen. "I must go now, before my absence is noted. Stay strong my princess. The right time for you to act will come, and you will know when it does."

Serenity smiled as the woman began to dematerialize before her. She waved goodbye and was soon alone in her room. Her gaze fell back down to the broach. Such a small thing, but she knew how looks could be deceiving. Saturn was proof of that. Walking over to the curtains she slipped behind them and pushed open the twin glass doors that led to her balcony. The suns heat kissed her skin and instantly she was in her royal princess attire. The fabric was light and soothing on her skin and the weight of her heart shaped tiara that rested on top of her head felt full of purpose now.

Though she could not see the Earth at present, she could feel the life it held. Soon she would make the journey there. She would be able to see those blue waters, romantic deserts, and lush forests for her own eyes. Her pupils dilated enough to allow her to see in such bright light now. Hopefully she could get used to it. Travel by night, on Earth, was not the same as on the moon. The moon was much smaller in comparison and therefore could not cast as much light onto the planet. Shielding her eyes now with her arm she glanced up at the blazing sun for a moment. What she saw rendered a gasped. There, in the center, was a tiny speck of black. From it she could feel the great evil that threatened their peace. The broach in her other hand hummed. It too could feel it. Her gaze bore down at the trinket as she made a silent promise to herself that she would not fail.

With that the princess walked back inside and decided to try and get some sleep. Night would soon fall and another day at the palace awaited her.

...

Sailor Pluto watched at the Gates of Time as everything once again shifted. New lives were spared as others were now taken. Time seemed to be caught in a whirlpool of changes. She had revealed to the princess as much as she dared too. So much was changing. Her fate no longer rested with the Northern Prince Endymion, but with another. That fate too was tricky and rested entirely upon them. The guardian wasn't at all sure how her leader would react to such a man. He wasn't as gentle and sensible as the fair prince. This new one was very serious and slightly more portentous. Not at all someone Pluto would've pegged the lovable, bubbly Lunarian to fall for. However their love would not form so easily.

She had to admit; at least their possible futures were amusing. The other senshis were a lot more wishy-washy. There were too many outcomes to have a firm grasp of an at least basic concept as to where they would end up and who with if anybody. Her own future was just as hazy. Though Endymion, her secret infatuation, was no longer completely tied to the Moon Princess, though was still a possible outcome, had his fate nearly set in stone as well.

For now she would just watch. Though her actions were forbidden she no longer cared. If found out she would be punished severely unless things were already too far off course to fix. She was not the one to have initially caused so much to deviate in the beginning, but she would intervene when she saw fit now. No longer would she stand by and let the others sacrifice themselves as she remained. No longer would she be bound by duty to be alone through the ages. If the once future Sailor Moon had taught her anything, it was that she must risk it all for the good and happiness of the future. So this is what she would do. This would be the destiny she would lay down for herself. Even if it meant death.

A/N: Thank you for reading my third chapter to this story. I really hope you like it. I haven't gotten much feedback so I'm really not sure if I should continue or not. I don't need much, but some constructive criticism, or thoughts about it would be nice. These chapters take so much time and dedication that it feels sort of pointless to keep going if nobody really cares for it.

Big thanks to my lone reviewer: martian-general-bookworm, as well as to the readers who have favorite and followed. I probably wouldn't have put up this chapter if it weren't for you!

Pairings Thus Far:
Serenity/ Atem
Hotaru/ Malik
Minako/ Bakura

Ages:

Serenity, Ami- 16 (on verge of 17)
Minako, Makoto, Rei- 17
Hotaru-16 (just turned when encased)
Haruka, Michiru- 23
Setsuna- 27
Atem, Bakura- 17
Seto, Marik- 18
Endymion- 20

Please review, favorite, and follow!